Antall József szerk.: Orvostörténeti közlemények 109-112. (Budapest, 1985)

A TERMÉSZETTUDOMÁNYOK ÉS A MEDICINA A RENESZÁNSZ ÉS A REFORMÁCIÓ KORÁBAN - Szentgyörgyvölgyi Gábor: Újabb adatok Bánfihunyadi János életéhez (1576—1646)

Munkásságának alapos felderítése kettős hasznot ígér. Művészettörténeti vonalon tán eddig ismeretlen eredetű ötvösmunkák azonosíthatók, orvostörténeti vonatkozásban az aranyművesek gyógyszervegyészeti kapcsolatára derülhetne fény. SUMMARY Author presents two, hitherto unknown letters by Hungarian alchemist János Bánfihunyadi (1576—1646). The letters, which have been found copied into the minute-book of the municipal archives of Nagybánya (Baia Mare, Romania), were addressed to Bálint Thagy at Nagybánya, the first one dated from Kassa (Kosice, CSSR) 3

rd May 1606, the second one from London, 2nd April 1613. His instructions concerning the management and care of his properties at Nagybánya are indicative of a solid financial position. He had learnt the goldsmith's trade and he took it up after settling in England as well, in a hired workshop in London. Béla Balogh and Kálmán Oszódzki's study of 1979 on the goldsmiths' trade of Nagybánya definitely proved Bánfihunyadi's occupation. Upon this ground

, author of present study excludes the century-old hypothesis of Bánfihunyadi's having been a doctor. He gives literary references to prove the auxiliary medical activity of goldsmiths, on the one hand in prevention by making jewels of curing precious stones to keep away diseases, on the other hand in restorative surgery by making appliances like obturators, prosthetic plates, artificial teeth etc. As an alchemist he became ever closer related with pharmaceutical chemistry. Once his name had been established, he was asked to co-operate with famous alchemists. He worked with Sir Kenelm Digby at Gresham College, Arthur Dee invited him to Amsterdam. Presumably he acquired his skill in alchemy during his Prague stay in 1606—1612. G. SZENTGYÖRGYVÖLGYI, M. D. district doctor Földes, Vöröshadsereg u. 2., Hungary, H—4177